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The White Rose will rise (or drop) again

Dave Rudolph, York City Superintendent of the Electrical Bureau and Building Maintenance, is shown with the old White Rose that was used in numerous New Year s Eve celebrations. (Submitted)

Back in 1986, it was a new idea:

Three men -- Don Dellinger, Carl Neu and Dick Wand -- under the auspices of the York County Chamber of Commerce, decided to hold a New Year's Eve event on Dec. 31, 1986. It was called "First Night 1987."

Patterned after other events in other towns around the country, the evening featured entertainment in venues clustered around Downtown York. As the midnight hour approached, the crowd was gathered in front of the York County Courthouse (now the Administrative Center).

Music was played; people shouted "Happy New Year!" and then they went home.

No one knew at that point if there would be another First Night.

But as in all things York, if it happens one time, it becomes a tradition.

It became clear from the attendance and the public's interest that First Night was a popular event. Volunteers began planning the next First Night shortly after the beginning of the year and on how to grow the event -- including more venues and performers.

From the second year on, First Night York began to grow in scope.

George Trout, an early emcee of the program on the courthouse steps, believes it was probably the third year, Dec. 31, 1988 (First Night York 1989), that a special element was added: a large white rose.

The white rose that year was hand-crafted by Bill Schaumann. It was placed on the steps of the courthouse so those gathered there could count down the last seconds of the year as the white rose was illuminated.

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Sarah Stahl remembers the white rose being made out of papier mache.

Steve Shelley, president and CEO of Production Express -- which has been involved with all but one of New Year's Eve events -- recalls the White Rose was not lowered from the top of the Yorktowne Hotel until the fourth year.

For Dec. 31, 1990 (First Night 1991), it was clear the space on East Market Street was not adequate to handle the large crowd turning out for the finale. That year the entire conclusion of the evening was moved to Continental Square. The white rose was suspended atop the former Colonial Hotel (18 S. George Street), high above the thousands of folks packed into the square and the streets leading to it. A stage had been set up across South George Street for the finale performers.

For that evening, Bill Schaumann had made some artistic adjustments to the white rose. Corrine Miller, a former special events coordinator for York city, said the white rose was then stored at the Bon-Ton warehouse so Bill could keep tabs on it.

Later the white rose drop shifted to the bank building on the opposite corner of Continental Square and the stage was moved to North George Street.

Over the years, First Night York evolved: a Double Deuce run was added, as was a one-time laser show: one year the white rose actually rose instead of dropped; lighting a bonfire near Codorus Creek was added one year; and then fireworks.

The First Night York finale and the white rose remained in the square until Dec. 31, 2007, when it moved to the Sovereign Bank Stadium.

By 2010, it was back in the square. It then appeared that, because of finances, 2011 would be the last event.

This year's New Year's Eve celebration (no longer called First Night York) was saved when Sprint rode to the rescue with a check. Once again the white rose will be the centerpiece of the event.

There are two white roses in the city's care at this point. The original white rose that was lowered (or raised) for two decades was made out of hard plastic. Over the years, it has taken a beating.

More recently, a white rose was created out of stainless steel by Salvaging Creativity. Dave Rudolph, York city superintendent of the electrical bureau and building maintenance, says that will be the one that will descend from the top of the bank building on Continental Square at midnight on Monday evening.

Gordon Freireich is a former editor of the York Sunday News. Read his blog at yorkblog.com/lawn. Email: gordon@newtongroup.com.

SUBMITTED

Dave Rudolph, York city superintendent of the electrical bureau and building maintenance, is shown with the old white rose that was used in numerous New Year's Eve celebrations.

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